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(No man.) 2 sheets-sheet 1.

F. WILLAMS,

AUTOMATIC WOOL WASHING MACHINE.

No. 380,470. Y Patented Apr. 3,1888.

fw; Tg i WITNESSES:

(No Moda.) 2 sheets-sheen 2.'

. Pf WILLIAMS.

AUTOMATICV WOOL WASHING MAOHINB.

No. 880,470. Patented Apr. 3, 1888..

WITNESSES:

Y ing broken away.

UNITED STATES Parent @tirreno FREDERICK WILLIAMS, 0F ALEXANDRA, NEV ZEALAND.

AUTOMATIC WOOL-WASHING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 380,470, dated April 3, 1888.

Application tiled July Q5, 1887. Serial No. 245,229. (No model.) Patented in New Zeal-.1nd June 15,1855, No. 1,46%.

To @ZZ whom it iii/tty concer-n;

Be it known that I, FREDERICK WILLIAMS, a subject of the Queen of Great Britain, residing at Alexandra, in the county of Vincent, Colony of New Zealand, have invented a new and useful Improvement iu Automatic Vool- Vashers, (for which I have obtained a patent in New Zealand, No.1,462, bearing date June '15, 1885,) of which the following is a specilication. Y

My invention consists of a novel washer, which is automatic and effective in operation, of simple and inexpensive construction, and possesses other advantages, as will be hereinafter fully set forth and claimed.

Figure l represents a perspective View of a wool-Washing machine embodying my inven tion. Fig. 2represents aA top or plan view thereof,` partly broken away. Fig. 3 represents a vertical section of the water-inlet and gate in line m az, Fig. 1. Fig. 4 represents a horizontal section of a portion of the bottom of the washing-vessel and coveringplate,with catches and flanges for holding the saine in place in line y y, Fig. 2. Fig. 5 represents a perspective view of the bar which supports the water-inlet chute, the central portion be- Fig. 6 represents a perspective view of the center block, showing the perforations therein. Fig. 7 represents a perspective inner view of one end of the washing-vessel, the inlet-chute being removed.

Similar letters of reference indicate correspending parts in the several figures.

Referring to the drawings, A represents a circular frame, preferably oval in form, which supports the washing chamber or vessel B, consisting of a bottom, a, and side b, constructed of zinc or other suitable metal or material, said bottom and side being perforated in part or entirely so, if desired. Rising from the bottom a is a center or block, C, which is of oval'or other form, with perforations in its side, and constructed of zinc or other suitable metal or material.

D represents a waterinlet consisting of a chute or tube, which is secured to the side b of the chamber and center C, so as to'occupy a position over the space formed by said side and center. The inner end of the chute is open and occupied by a gate, E, which may be raised and lowered by screws F, so as to be vertically adjusted relatively to the quantity or pressure of water it is desired to inject or admit into the washingchamber.

In order to sustain the gate and prevent displacement thereof, there is secured to the side of the chute a bar, F', which bears against the front of said gate and braces the same,

In order to sustain the inlet D and prevent vertical displacement thereof, there is secured to the side b of the washing-chamber and ceuter C a bar, G, which assists to supporttlie inlet and brace the under side thereof.

The perforations K of the bottom and side of the washingchamber are arranged in sections or groups, and there are provided for the groups covering-plates H J. The plate H acts as a false'bottom for the bottom c of the chamber, and is held in place by a flange, c, on said bottom a and catches d, which are piv oted to said bottom a and engage with the plate H. (See Figs. 2 and 4.) The plates J cover the side perforations ofthe chamber, and are held in place by angeseon said side. (See Figs. l and 7.) In the side b of the chamber is a group of perforations, K', which are about the water-line of said chamber, the center or block C also being partly perforated.

The operation is as follows: The device as constructed is placed in a dam, river, box, or other convenient place,l whereby it will be in Water to nearly its top and supplied with Water at the required level, the wool to be washed being placed in the chamber B. Water is forcibly directed into the chuteD and escapes therefrom at the space below the gate E, and is ejected downward in almost perpendicular direction, and thus injected forcibly into the water in the vessel B, the bottom lips and corners of said gate or the adjacent parts of the chute being beveled, so that the Water spreads in width. The action of the injected water creates a current in the vessel B, causing the water to flow around the center C, whereby the wool is carried around said vessel, returning under the chute D, and being agitated and subjected to the action of the circulating water, sothat the dirt is beaten out and the wool effectively and uniformly washed of its impurities, it being noticed that the intlowing water from the chute is the automatic agent for IOO creating the current within the chamber B. The dirty water escapes through the lower side perforations, K, and the scum discharges through the perforations K. When the water in the chamber is as clean as the supply, the washing of the wool is complete, and the same may be removed.

The speed of the current of water in the vessel is to some extent controlled or regulated by the slides or plates H and J, the water iiowing more rapidly'from the vessel when the plates are removed, and as a matter of course less rapidly when the plates are in position for closing the perforations.

For Washing locks or other wools which may contain second cuts7 or chips,7 a greater number of perforations should be nncovered or exposed, so that there will beV less suction through each single opening,whereby choking of the openings is prevented and ne. cessity of frequently cleaning the same obviated. During the washing operation the wool is kept within view of the workman, so that the work may be inspected as it progresses.

Among other advantages ofthe present in# vention, there is great saving in the cost of washing, the wool is being evenly washed, it being left free, so that no breaking ont77 is required before spreading, and, being thoroughly opened, it quickly dries. There are no movable parts to get out of order, the ber or staple of the Wool is not injured, and roping or entanglement is prevented.

The frame is constructed of uprghtsf, circumferential rims g, radial beams h, and a central bracing, j, all firmly secured together,form ing a strong struct-ure. t

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a wool-washing machine, a Washingchamber having perforated walls and plates for covering the same, substantially as described.

2. A wool-Washing machine having a washing-vessel with a center block and an inletchute secured to said center block and the side of the vessel, substantially as described. V

3. A. wool-Washing machine having a Washingvessel with perforations K in the bottom and sides, covering-plates for said perforations, a center block, a water-inlet chute secured to said block and the side of the vessel, and provided With a vertically-adjustable gate, said parts being combined substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. A Wool-washing machine having awashing-vessel with perforations K in the sides thereof, and perforations K in the side about the Water-level of said vessel, a center block, and a water-inlet chute secured to said block and to the side of the vessel, said parts being combined substantially as described In witness whereof` I have signed my name.

FREDERICK WILLIAMS. In presence of- J. F. HARPER,

Accountant Bank of New Zealand, Dunedin.

C. H. HOWARD,

Solicitor, Dunedin, N. Z. 

